September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  I couldn't let the month go by without honoring my dear friend and colleague Michele, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer 2 years ago.

Michele Beaulieu

June 12, 1961 - June 9, 2010

An estimated 22,280 American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, according to the American Cancer Society, and about 15,500 will die of the disease.

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal of all cancers involving a woman's reproductive tract.  It is very difficult to diagnose, with only 15% being diagnosed at an early stage when it is more easily treated.  Women diagnosed in the early stages have an 89 to 94 percent chance of surviving at least five years.

Here are some links to more information on ovarian cancer:

http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/ovarian-cancer

Ovarian Cancer (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed? (American Cancer Society)

Drugs Approved for Ovarian Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

Ovarian Epithelial Cancer (PDQ): Treatment (National Cancer Institute)

Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors (PDQ): Treatment (National Cancer Institute) 

September is World Alzheimer's Month

Since Septemer is World Alzheimer's Month, I wanted to post some information and links to help you find reputable information on the Internet.

The National Institute on Aging has a helpful list of symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease by stage:

Mild Alzheimer's disease

-getting lost
-trouble handling money and paying bills
-repeating questions
-taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
-poor judgment
-losing things or misplacing them in odd places
-mood and personality changes

Alzheimer's disease is often diagnosed at this stage.

Moderate Alzheimer's disease

-increased memory loss and confusion
-problems recognizing family and friends
-inability to learn new things
-difficulty carrying out tasks that involve multiple steps (such as getting dressed)
-problems coping with new situations
-hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia
-impulsive behavior

Severe Alzheimer's disease

-inability to communicate
-weight loss
-seizures
-skin infections
-difficulty swallowing
-groaning, moaning, or grunting
-increased sleeping
-lack of control of bowel and bladder

For more information on Alzheimer's Disease, check out these useful links:

Caregiver Stress (Alzheimer's Association)

Alzheimer's Disease (National Institute on Aging)

10 WarningSigns of Alzheimer's Disease (Alzheimer's Association)